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What does Edmonton pop sound like?

That’s the question that Letters From Pluto were presented with when traveling to Toronto to showcase at Canadian Music Week back in May. Considering that Edmonton is more closely associated with country, folk, metal and indie-rock bands this might seem like a fair inquiry, but it’s a little more complicated than that.

Letters From Pluto stoked to open for Aqua on K-Days South StageBack to video

“What does Edmonton pop sound like?” laughs vocalist Kristina Pluto of Letters From Pluto. “That really depends on who the artist is influenced by. I mean, what does Toronto pop sound like?”

Can’t speak for Toronto, but in the case of Letters From Pluto we can throw in elements of Coldplay, M83, Halsey, Muse, Carly Rae Jepsen, plus a touch of Imagine Dragons into the pot when discussing a point of reference for the local pop artist. The project, which has been releasing tracks since 2016, has picked up national and international airplay with such songs as Cold Right Now and Stop and Stare, along with winning an iHeartRadio Future Star Award in 2017. The latest release was a collaboration with DJ Madison Mars called Night Call, which was recently released on the highly respected Spinnin’ Records.

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Letters From Pluto don’t often perform in Edmonton, but when they got the call to open for Scandinavian legends Aqua at K-Days they jumped at the chance. We spoke with Kristina about her upcoming performance:

Q: How did you score such a choice opening gig?

A: Northlands contacted us and asked if we’d like to open for a big band, but they wouldn’t say who. Of course we tried to figure out who it was, but then I freaked out when they said Aqua. That band was my childhood. I did not expect this, and was incredibly thrilled. It was the best surprise!

Q: You normally only play a couple of times a year at most in Edmonton.

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A: There aren’t really a lot of places for pop shows, except for the giant acts that play in arenas. I’m really hoping that this show helps to raise our profile in Edmonton. To be honest, I’m kind of freaking out, because we’ve never played to an audience of that size. If you’re at the show you might see me pacing backstage, trying to keep cool.

Q: You recently released a new collaboration with the Estonian DJ/producer Madison Mars. How did that come about?

A: He had the track and was looking for a top line, melody and lyrics, so I pitched an idea. I didn’t think I would hear back, but Madison responded that he loved it, and asked when I could record it. I was like “what?” and had to take a second. I then recorded my vocals here, sent it over, and he pitched the song to Spinnin’ Records. They loved it and it was out in six weeks. The whole thing happened so quickly.

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Q: Most Edmonton acts don’t think outside the box all that often, but you’ve actually tried to make your shows special, as you did with last year’s performance at the planetarium in the Telus World of Science.

A: It was so amazing. We had a laser light show that was going in time to music; it was a feast for the eyes and ears. We actually filmed a documentary short to show all the work that went into it.

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Q: What’s up next for you?

A: It really depends on what happens over the next six to eight months. I hope this show will help me get out there a bit more, and I would love to play more festivals, though I don’t really fit into folk festivals. The next step will probably be touring and playing more, so I might move for a short period of time. I don’t want to say goodbye to Edmonton, but I also need to grow.

PREVIEW

Letters From Pluto

With: Aqua

When: Sunday, July 28

Where: South Stage, K-Days

Tickets: $18 to $20, available at the gate or in advance from the K-Days website. Children six years of age and under are admitted for free.

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